A 450 year old scroll of the Old Testament has found a home in Canada
Originating from 16th century Morocco, the Sephardi scroll contains the complete Torah—the first five books of the Bible
Trinity Western University, a Christian University of the arts, sciences, and professions in B.C, has received an ancient Hebrew manuscript, a Torah scroll from the late 16th century from donors Kenneth and Barbara Larson.
The donors say they want to see students and scholars excited and gain a greater appreciation for their work with the gift of the ancient, authentic document.
Originating from 16th century Morocco, the Sephardi scroll contains the complete Torah—the first five books of the Bible—and consists of 65 panels of carefully prepared and refined calfskin.
“Our vision or dream is that the Torahs will be used, not just sit on a shelf,” Barbara said. “When people, whether scholars or not, see a Torah, there is an awe there, a love of God’s word.” Part of the Larsons’ donation includes the installment of a specially designed Torah Room, which will allow for the Torah to be on display in TWU’s Alloway Library. The room is slated for completion this spring.
A trip to the Holy Land with their family was the impetus that inspired the Larsons to consider how they might mark their 50th wedding anniversary in a significant, meaningful way. “We were looking for something unique to gift in honour of that milestone,” Barbara said. “We thought this would be a wonderful way to do that.”
Added Kenneth, “Instead of giving something to ourselves, we decided to give something to the King.”
“For TWU’s Religious Studies department, receiving this gift is the same as the science department receiving an expensive scientific instrument,” said Religious Studies Chair Kent Clarke, Ph.D. “It gives our students access to the real thing, rather than exposure to images alone.”
That’s precisely why the Larsons gifted the artifact to the University. “When people study Hebrew in an academic environment, there is a much deeper appreciation and excitement,” Kenneth said. “The ancient scribes copied the Torah with such care to maintain its accuracy—and to make sure that God’s word was not only honoured and preserved, but used.”
The generous donation isn’t the Larsons’ first—they also gifted scrolls to Trinity International University and four other institutions in North America. They plan to donate several more in 2015. “The scrolls are significant in that they give us a glimpse of the Jewish people,” said Kenneth. “As Christians, we’re grafted in. So preserving these ancient manuscripts ensures we protect and honour God’s word.”
Clarke agrees. “We’re people of the Book,” he said, “just as the Jews were, and are.”
Trinity Western University is a Christian University of the arts, sciences, and professions in B.C.
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